When I first tried to learn FMQ I had the same problem with controlling the stitches. Then I found out the Quilt Police had no way of knowing what I was doing, so I started to "cheat" -- kept the feed dogs up all the time. It made such a difference and I had no problem with stitch length. When the feed dogs are up, you can't move the fabric as quickly, so you get a lot more control. When I had the feed dogs down I would try to move it just a little and it would move a few inches. I have been quilting with the feed dogs up for about 10 years now, and have never even broken a needle. Good luck!